Good For You: Turmeric is thought to have cancer-thwarting properties. UCLA researchers have found that curcumin, an antioxidant in the spice, can help prevent and treat head and neck cancers by blocking a protein that promotes tumor growth. That same protein causes joint inflammation, so curcumin could also reduce arthritis risk.

Tastes Great, Too: Sercarz stirs a half teaspoon of turmeric into lemonade for an extra dash of tartness; Williams adds it to hummus for a sunny burst of color.